The name of Rebecca Nurse (or Nourse) is perhaps the best known of all of its unfortunate victims. Francis Nourse was an early settler in Salem, and was a proprietor of the town 1647. He lived for forty years near Sperry's, on North River Street, between the main village and the ferry to Beverly. He was a woodworker, called a tray-maker.
Why is Francis Nurse important?
A wealthy farmer and landowner in Salem and the husband of Rebecca Nurse. Francis Nurse is generally considered by the Salem community to be a good man, but many people resent his recent rise to wealth. He's had arguments over land with Putnam that have risen even to the level of physical fights.
Who is Francis nurse wife?
Rebecca Towne NurseRebecca NurseRebecca Towne Nurse (or Nourse)OccupationHousewifeKnown forConvicted of witchcraft during the Salem Witch TrialsSpouseFrancis Nurse (or Nourse)Children95 more rows
What does Francis nurse say about his wife?
Francis enters to say that even his wife, Rebecca, has been taken away and charged in the witch trials. He is incredulous that such a good, respected lady could be charged with such an absurd crime. At first he thinks it must be a mistake, saying he is sure the Deputy Governor ''mistakes these people.
Why is Frances Nurse so upset?
Francis Nurse is upset because he himself promised them that no reprisal would come for from signing the document. Danforth reads Giles Corey's deposition. Thomas Putnam is brought into the room. Corey accuses Putnam of prompting his daughter to falsely accuse George Jacobs of witchcraft.
Why was Martha Corey accused?
Martha Corey is accused of witchcraft after her husband, Giles, states that she reads strange books and that her reading keeps him from praying. When she is arrested, her husband regrets talking about the books and tells the court that he only said she read, not that she was into witchcraft.
What is Francis Nurse personality traits?
Francis Nurse is a good man and a good husband who has the courage to stand up to the court and say that the judge and governor have been deceived.
What does Francis Nurse mean when he says that his wife Rebecca is the very brick and mortar of the church?
My wife is the very brick and mortar of the church, Mr. Hale. . . In this metaphor, Francis Nurse compares his falsely accused wife, Rebecca Nurse, to the bricks and mortar that hold up the church building, suggesting that she cannot be a witch because she is such a stout Christian.
What do the girls do to Mary?
What do the girls do to Mary? What is her response? They pretend that her spirit is coming to get them, that she is herself doing some bewitching. Mary tells them to stop it, but when they don't, she ends up breaking down and joining them (for her own protection).
Who is Francis Nurse related to in the crucible?
Francis is the husband of Rebecca Nurse, and a well-respected wealthy landowner in Salem. Francis Nurse joins Giles Corey and John Proctor in their challenge against the court when their respective wives are charged with witchcraft.
Who holds a grudge against Francis Nurse?
The other seven died before they were a day old, and Ann is convinced that they were murdered by supernatural means. Thomas Putnam - A wealthy, influential citizen of Salem, Putnam holds a grudge against Francis Nurse for preventing Putnam's brother-in-law from being elected to the office of minister.
Why does Francis Nurse stand up to the judge?
What motivates Francis Nurse to stand up to the judge? Do you think his action is courageous or foolish? He wants to stand up for his wife and all those who are accused. I think this is courageous and shows he is selfless because he knows what the consequences may be and continues to stand up for what is right.
Biography
There is much less information on Rebecca's husband Francis Nurse. He was born January 18, 1617 in England and died November 22, 1695 in Salem Village. He and Rebecca married August 24, 1644 at Salem. Francis had appeared in Salem in about 1640 at about the age of 19. He was described as "a youth," possibly an indentured servant.
Children of Rebecca Towne and Francis Nurse
They had eight children, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Rebecca, John, Samuel, Sarah, Mary and Francis.
References
William Towne 1599 List of Famous Descendants - Francis married William's oldest daughter.
Footnotes (including sources)
AWT gives her 15 children, but the number of duplicate names suggests serious unreliability.
Who is Francis Nurse?
Francis Nurse is the husband of an accused woman in Arthur Miller's ''The Crucible.'' This lesson provides an overview of his character and his role in the play. Updated: 01/22/2021
Who is Francis Nurse in The Crucible?
Despite blocking an election of James Bayley, a voter-approved candidate, and having fierce property disputes, it's clear that Francis Nurse is a respected man in Arthur Miller's The Crucible. He treats the accusations of his wife Rebecca with incredulity at first, unable to believe such silly charges.
Why does Francis go to court?
Once the reality of the witch trials becomes too clear for mockery, Francis goes to court to plead on behalf of his wife. He is very deferential to Judge Danforth, even though Danforth is not at all respectful in return. Instead of shouting or lashing out in anger as one might very reasonably do if one's wife is imprisoned unjustly, Francis remains respectful to the end. ''We are desperate, sir,'' he begins his plea to Danforth, ''we come here three days now and cannot be heard.''
Who was Francis Nurse's opponent in Salem?
We also learn that Francis Nurse was at the center of a hotly contested election for the office of Minister in Salem. James Bayley was the candidate supported by Jonathan Putnam, another prominent man in town. Bayley was well qualified and won two thirds of the vote, but Francis and his followers still managed somehow to prevent him from taking office. Furthermore, we are told that Francis Nurse, and those loyal to him, actually broke away from the town of Salem to form their own settlement, which they referred to as Topsfield. Despite the general high opinion of Francis Nurse among the townspeople, it's clear things were not all sunshine and roses.
Is Francis Nurse a saint?
While the overall opinion of Francis Nurse is overwhelmingly positive, it is suggested he's probably not a total saint. We are told that there exists something of a ''land war'' between Francis and his neighbors. Disputing property boundaries seems to be quite a popular hobby in Arthur Miller's version of Salem, Massachusetts, so perhaps this is not surprising.
Who was Francis Nourse?
Francis Nourse was an early settler in Salem, and was a proprietor of the town 1647. He lived for forty years near Sperry's, on North River Street, between the main village and the ferry to Beverly. He was a woodworker, called a tray-maker.
Who was Rebecca Nurse?
The name of Rebecca Nurse (or Nourse) is perhaps the best known of all of its unfortunate victims. Francis Nourse was an early settler in Salem, and was a proprietor of the town 1647. He lived for forty years near Sperry's, on North River Street, between the main village and the ferry to Beverly. He was a woodworker, called a tray-maker.
Where is Francis Nourse buried?
She was hanged on Witch Hill, and buried in the little cemetery at Danvers. Francis Nourse married [Rebecca] on August 24, 1644...She and her husband were members of the First Church of Salem, and he was a deacon.".
Who is Francis Nurse's wife?
Rebecca Nurse. Francis Nurse’s wife. Rebecca is a wise, sensible, and upright woman, held in tremendous regard by most of the Salem community. However, she falls victim to hysteria when the Putnams accuse her of witchcraft and she refuses to confess.
Who is Nurse in Salem?
A wealthy, influential man in Salem. Nurse is well respected by most people in Salem, but he is an enemy of Thomas Putnam and his wife.
Who is Reverend Parris' niece?
Reverend Parris’s niece. Abigail was once the servant for the Proctor household, but Elizabeth Proctor fired her after she discovered that Abigail was having an affair with her husband, John Proctor. Abigail is smart, wily, a good liar, and vindictive when crossed.
Who is Giles Corey?
Giles Corey. An elderly but feisty farmer in Salem, famous for his tendency to file lawsuits. Giles’s wife, Martha, is accused of witchcraft, and he himself is eventually held in contempt of court and pressed to death with large stones. Read an in-depth analysis of Giles Corey.
Why did Elizabeth Proctor fire Abigail?
John Proctor’s wife. Elizabeth fired Abigail when she discovered that her husband was having an affair with Abigail. Elizabeth is supremely virtuous, but often cold. Read an in-depth analysis of Elizabeth Proctor.
